Dark Night Dawning

Chapter 16

Shyam was on his way to meet Khushi. He was pleased that his plan was going well so far. Khushi's interference had foiled his opportunity to get rid of Arnav along with his dream of    getting his hands on his property. He had thought deep and hard about how he could get back at them and he had been running out of time. Then, when he had found out that Arnav had left Khushi without believing her, he had come up with the new plan. Arnav had threatened him that he was going to kick him out after the birth of the baby. So he would be doing him a favour by leaving himself. But he couldn't just get out of Arnav's life just like that, could he? He would take away from him what he wanted most – his Khushi.

And thanks to his cleverness, there was no way Arnav was going to come looking for them. He had made sure that Arnav believed that Khushi was having an affair with his dear jeejaji. After years of living in the family he was very well aware of Arnav's nature – his distrust issues, his ego, his temper and most importantly, his blind devotion toward his sister. He had played well on his weaknesses. He wondered if the messages he had sent through her phone to himself might have had a role to play here.

He thought about the Gupta family who knew all about him. But, they had maintained a silence till now and would continue to do so as they knew that Payal's married life was at stake. Why would they want to jeopardize the life of their own daughter for the sake of an orphan like Khushi? And the only eye witness, Khushi's dad was never going to talk in his life. His devoted wife and her brother were completely unaware of the "accidents" he had caused. He had all his bases covered. People were such fools!

The only person he had confessed all this to was Khushi ------but she would be in his allegiance....... from tomorrow.

**

Naniji had ushered the Gupta family into Anjali's room. They conveyed their heartfelt wishes on the birth of Anjali's baby. They also wished a speedy recovery to Anjali. Payal and Akash had also come into the room along with mamaji and mamiji. An awkward silence filled the room as everyone began to look at each other uncomfortably. Anjali broke the silence.

'I wanted everyone to be present here for a reason. The Gupta family is here to tell us something very important. Especially, for you chotte. Buaji, please begin.'

'As, the oldest member of the Gupta family I would like to apologize to the oldest member of the Raizada family. Please forgive us for keeping very important information about your son-in-law.'

As the Raizada family looked on in shock, she explained how Shyam had insinuated himself into their lives and manipulated them into believing that he was an eligible suitor for Khushi.

'I am the one who is completely to blame here,' said Buaji, a deep regret on her face, 'Shyam had me completely under his thumb even before Shashi babua and Garima came to Delhi. I am the one who railroaded Khushi into agreeing to Shyam's proposal on Diwali night when the poor girl was already agitated when she came back home.'

Arnav's heart wrenched at that......

'That's enough jiji! ' Garima interrupted her sister-in-law. 'You are not the only one to blame. I was the one who stopped Khushi from telling the truth to the Raizadas because of my fear that Payal's alliance with Akash bitwa would be at stake. I didn't want her marriage getting cancelled a second time.'

When Arnav saw his sister silently crying, he exclaimed, 'This is exactly why I didn't want them to come here! After the lengths I went to protect you from knowing the truth!'

'Yes Chotte!' exclaimed Anjali her eye flashing with anger, 'Would you please explain the "lengths" to everyone? That is exactly why you married Khushi, didn't you?'